Garmin Zumo 660

Critters

Critters

Retired Black Rat
Joined
Feb 19, 2007
Messages
237
Age
58
Location
Perth Scotland UK
Bike
Red 2003 ST1300
I am hoping that someone on here has a Zumo 660 and is able to answer a simple question. Does this unit when installed on the motorcycle mount have a 3.5mm audio outlet socket so I can connect it to my bike autocom system or does it only have Bluetooth connectivity?
 
Yes, it will work. Would I buy another one? No. Mine has audio issues once in a while and takes multiple starts sometimes to get it to read the SD card.
 
Throttlejockey said:
Yes, it will work. Would I buy another one? No. Mine has audio issues once in a while and takes multiple starts sometimes to get it to read the SD card.
Click to expand...

Mmmm now you have planted the seed of doubt, my zumo 450 is occasionally doing weird route choices, have reset it and it works ok for a bit then it does it again, I was looking to get the 660 as a replacement, is there anything else out there that would work as well as my 450 did when it was new?
 
I was ready to purchase a 660 to replace my 550, but the more I looked into the differences, the less sure I was that the same connectivity is actually available on both units. Yes, there is a 3.5mm jack (it's been moved to the wiring harness, rather than on the mount as on the 550), but something relating to the way they have implemented Bluetooth means that you can no longer listen to MP3s via the wired output and connect an Autocom using Bluetooth (BTM-02). I think you can connect both music and intercom using Bluetooth (which is what they want you to do), but because Bluetooth doesn't like doing two different things at the same time, the audio playback suffers. There may be other ways of setting up the 660 and an Autocom, but my understanding is that it wouldn't work the way my 550 does now.

Ciao,
 
JZH said:
I was ready to purchase a 660 to replace my 550, but the more I looked into the differences, the less sure I was that the same connectivity is actually available on both units. Yes, there is a 3.5mm jack (it's been moved to the wiring harness, rather than on the mount as on the 550), but something relating to the way they have implemented Bluetooth means that you can no longer listen to MP3s via the wired output and connect an Autocom using Bluetooth (BTM-02). I think you can connect both music and intercom using Bluetooth (which is what they want you to do), but because Bluetooth doesn't like doing two different things at the same time, the audio playback suffers. There may be other ways of setting up the 660 and an Autocom, but my understanding is that it wouldn't work the way my 550 does now.

Ciao,
Click to expand...

The 660 has a 3.5mm jack in the harness AND a jack on the left side of the GPS itself. When using bluetooth to connect to a helmet headset, the wired outputs are turned off.

I use a scala g9 for my smartphone and intercom with friends, and use etymotic mc5 earphones for earplugs (about 30 db attenuation) and connect the mc5s to the jack on the 660. All bluetooth functions on the 660 are OFF. Since the g9 is only used for smartphone & intercom, there is no problem with battery life- about 12 hours. Just run the g9 audio level high enough to hear with the mc5s in your ears. If you're listening to music with the 660 and a call comes in, tap the 660 power button to bring up the audio screen and mute it, or pause the music. Simple.

If you use bluetooth from the 660 to the g9, it is top priority and you never hear the phone or intercom. That's a deal-breaker for me. The audio quality via bluetooth will always be inferior to the mc5s. Using the g9 for music runs the battery down faster as well.
 
Norm Kern said:
The 660 has a 3.5mm jack in the harness AND a jack on the left side of the GPS itself. When using bluetooth to connect to a helmet headset, the wired outputs are turned off.
Click to expand...
Thanks for that explanation. I take it that this is the difference I was getting at? My Autocom/550 set-up uses both Bluetooth and wires, and everything works together (phone paired with 550 as "phone"; 550 paired with Autocom as "headset"; 550 audio out wired to Autocom), so the wired audio output on the 550 must not be turned off when using Bluetooth.

Ciao,
 
There is a brand new BMW Navigator V by Garmin gps that was just released at the end of October. The BMW Navigator IV was the equivalent of the Zumo 660 with a few differences that BMW Motorad wanted. The new Navigator V has no Garmin branded equivalent on the market...yet. For every previous BMW Navigator, there was a Garmin equivalent and I fully anticipate that will continue with the new one. This new gps has all the features of the Zumo 660 with upgrades in technology. A higher resolution and brighter screen, faster processor, slightly larger screen, twice the onboard memory (more room for the maps which get bigger with every update). All around a better unit...BUT, the mp3 player only plays with a bluetooth headset connection, NO hardwired ability for audio...but then again, the Navigator IV was like that too ... Because the BMW touring bikes have BT built in for BT headsets. The Nav IV equvalent, the Zumo 660 does have hardwire audio and mic connections on its motorcycle mount harness.

So, bottom line, you might want to wait a bit if you can as a new Zumo is probably coming out soon ... To replace the Zumo 660. My Zumo 550 bit the dust a few weeks ago, Ive been looking to replace it for about a year and following the trade info ..waiting for a new high end Zumo which is long overdue..the Zumo 390 is not a full featured unit...no mp3 player.
Doubt we'll have to wait much longer for the new Zumo to come out now that the Navigator V is on the market.

Btw, I also use an Autocom system with my Zumo 550. Phone BT to the Zumo which is hardwired to Active Plus Autocom. IF I decide not to wait for the new Zumo and buy the Navigator V, or if the new Zumo is a BT audio only unit like the Nav V, I am already researching the Autocom Bluetooth module previously mentioned. Not the preferred way for me, BT does not have the audio quality of hardwired, but..if it ends up that Garmin doesnt give me a choice, I will be prepared to go that way. Nice thing about the Autocom BT module is that no batteries are needed...it is bike powered via the Autocom unit. You can check this stuff out at www.Rocketmoto.com. Ive been in communication with them about this a few times lately. They seem to know their stuff and will even make up custom cables to accomodate different configurations using Autocom systems. ive spoken to Adam there. Fyi
 
JZH said:
Thanks for that explanation. I take it that this is the difference I was getting at? My Autocom/550 set-up uses both Bluetooth and wires, and everything works together (phone paired with 550 as "phone"; 550 paired with Autocom as "headset"; 550 audio out wired to Autocom), so the wired audio output on the 550 must not be turned off when using Bluetooth.

Ciao,
Click to expand...
There is some confusion with the BT functionality here.
The hardwired audio output is disabled when the Bluetooth HEADSET function is enabled.
The hardwired audio output is not disabled by enabling the Bluetooth Phone connection
Two different things...Headset vs phone connection. The Zumo does both...you enable / disable them independently via the settings in the Zumo.
 
Reading reviews of the new Navigator V on the k1600 forum the BMW riders there say the Navigator V is a very big improvement over the Navigator iV and Zumo 660. They are reporting that the bluetooth connection is much better and more stable, the processor is noticeably faster and the screen looks much better. The photos they've posted do look much better to me also. They seem to be very pleased with the improvements. Also the new unit can provide live traffic and weather updates via a smartphone app ...no need for a monthly subscription. That seems like a nice new feature too.
Im hoping the Zumo version will also allow for the tps option like the Zumo 390. Thats not needed on the BMW bikes as they have a factory tps option, but would be more desirable for those of us that have bikes without tps...aka..Zumo customers.
 
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